Conclusion

Wherin Marash and Myra save the city of Baharna from The Harlot

Standing in the center of a now-bustling market, Marash Monjak and Myra Vingo can see that normalcy has once again returned to Baharna. Some of the city-folk eye the adventurers cautiously as they pass, but few actually know their errand and are pleasant enough. Marash and Myra walk through the square purposefully, and begin the long journey to the palace on the hill.

Captain Hanna is on hand at their arrival, and tells the adventurers that The Harlot has not attacked in the nearly two months they’ve been gone. Myra asks Hanna if he is familiar with a fisherman named Vittorio, and is disappointed to learn that he does not. Running out of options, she asks Hanna if there are any diamond or alabaster buildings in Baharna, and is further disappointed to learn that there are not. However, Myra is pleased to find out that there is a city in the Dreamlands that has buildings of diamonds and alabaster. Hanna informs Myra and Marash that the city they seek is Zais; it is located in the far west of the Dreamlands, and by means known to no living person, is perpetually in sunset.

Hanna also remembers that there is a local legend concerning a fisherman by the name of Ghaston. It is said that he had lost his true love in another life, and that his morose nature has earned him the nickname the weeping fisherman. Hanna points Marash and Myra to a tavern called the Sky Pirate, which is where he had heard the legend in a past visit to Zais. He offers to take the adventurers to the harbor to hire a ship that can take them to Zais.

Quickly making the journey back to the harbor on Hanna’s chariot, Marash and Myra are able to charter passage to Zais. Traveling in a vessel similar to Hanna’s, the adventures sail for days until they finally behold the striking port city; a blazing amber and purple sunset sparkles against the diamond and alabaster buildings. Marash and Myra exit the ship and quickly find a local inhabitant who can point them to the Sky Pirate.

The Sky Pirate is a ship that has been converted into an inn and tavern. Marash and Myra walk aboard and take a seat at the bar. The bar’s proprietor, Sashona, greets them cheerfully (and in Marash’s case, flirtatiously), takes their drink and food orders, and makes small talk. She is aware of the legend of the weeping fisherman; in fact, Ghaston comes to the Sky Pirate frequently for a tankard of Lhoskian grog. When he arrives, Sashona promises to let the adventurers know.

Three days pass. Myra spends her time scribing scrolls, while Marash and Sashona get to know each other…better. On the fourth evening, the adventurers are eating their meal, when Sashona points out a man walking in to the tavern. Although his hair is silver at the temples, there is no doubt that Ghaston is actuallyVittorio Pescarra, Sister Evangeline’s long-lost love. Marash and Myra approach him cautiously and introduce themselves. They ask if he knows a fisherman named Vittorio, or a young woman named Evangeline; he confesses that he does not. Myra reaches in to her back pack and pulls out a copy of the letter she copied from Sister Evangeline, and hands it to Ghaston. Almost immediately, tears well in his eyes, and he suddenly remembers his past life and his long-lost love. Myra tells him that she and Marash may be able to reunite the lovers, and Vittorio agrees to go to with them to Baharna.

Returning to the island, the adventures are given horses to quicken their journey to Mount Ngranek. On the steeds, the three are able to reach the foot of the mountain in a day. They ascend carefully, and within a few hours find themselves before the doors of The Harlot’s dark fortress. Marash, Myra, and Vittorio enter cautiously; the two adventures make sure that the fisherman stays behind them as they move forward.

Going up to the second floor, the group is confronted by The Hag, who along with her recently completed Golem of Desire (the grotesque humanoid Marash and Myra beheld on their last visit to the dark fortress), moves forward to attack. At that moment, Vittorio steps in front of the adventurers and The Hag stops in her tracks. She looks at the fisherman for a moment and then cries out. Convulsing violently, the horrible hag splits in to three, distinct figures – The Hag, The Harlot, and Sister Evangeline. All three cry out and disappear, leaving a young, beautiful woman in their place. Marash and Myra recognize her from the photo the saw in Kingsport – it is a young Evangeline. She approaches Vittorio, tears welling in her eyes.

As they are pulled back to the waking world, Marash and Myra see the two long-lost lovers embrace…